"But, Mom, I don't want to play her Candy Land game. It's so old-fashioned and boring! Sarah doesn't have anything cool to do at her house!"

"Rachel, I've already told you to be nice to the new neighbors," Mom replied. "It's the right thing to do."

"Sarah's brother is mean to me and calls me ‘metal mouth,'" Rachel complained. "Besides, he always wants to play my D.S. Game Boy. Dad said I have to take care of it, since it cost so much."

"I know he did, and he's right. However, you are there to watch over it. Just make sure you always bring it back home."

Rachel sighed as she went out the back door. She let it slam . . . just enough to make her feel better. She reluctantly knocked on Sarah's door. She went in the back way so none of her other friends would see her.

"Hi, Rachel! I've been so excited about having you come over to play my new game! I got it for my birthday . . . a little early. It's not until next week," Sarah exclaimed. "I don't know anyone here but you."

"Yeah, my mom told me I should come over to introduce myself the other day, since you are new to the neighborhood," Rachel said, glancing around to see if Sarah's annoying brother was nearby.

As her eyes surveyed the kitchen, she saw dirty dishes piled so high that they would have make her mom croak. The table was full of dishes and half-eaten food from the night before. To her amazement, however, there were fresh cookies, warm and fragrant, sitting on the counter.

"Look! My mom made these for us to celebrate my finding a new friend," Sarah exclaimed happily.

Oh, great . . . now I'm her new friend, Rachel was thinking.

"Come on, I'm dying to play my new game," Sarah said as she took Rachel by the hand, leading her down the hall.

As they passed a bedroom, Rachel saw a woman lying on a bed, with her eyes closed.

"Be quiet; she's sleeping," Sarah whispered. "She's been sick a long time."

"I'm not sure. They don't tell Roger and me much. He's only five, you know," Sarah offered.

"Come on, let's play," Sarah urged. "We have only a little while before I have to wake my mom up and give her the next dose of medicine. Dad will be home from work in an hour to take over."

As they entered Sarah's very messy room, Rachel noticed Roger in the corner, watching television. She almost thought she saw a tear in his eye. Sarah already had the Candy Land game set up on the bed, in great anticipation of her new friend's visit.

"Would you mind terribly if Roger played your D.S. for just a few minutes?" asked Sarah. "He has only a few toys, and he thinks your game is so cool!"

"Sure," Rachel replied cautiously. "I can stay only a little while." Thank goodness, she thought, we have to go to church tonight.

As the game began, they each took turns moving their pieces around the board. They talked a little about school, about Mrs. Chavez, their fifth-grade teacher, and their homework assignments, until a door opened and shut softly.

"Hi, Dad," Roger said. Sarah's brother had been playing so quietly that Rachel had almost forgotten about him.

"Come and eat your cookies," he replied. "Mom got up at lunch time to make them for you and Sarah, and our new friend, Rachel."

As the three hungry kids ate their cookies, Sarah's dad poured the cold, fresh milk he had brought home from the store. Rachel could not believe a whole hour had passed since her arrival. She had actually had a good time.

As Rachel walked across the two backyards to her own home, she thought about her afternoon. Sarah was actually smart, funny, and interesting. Red-haired Roger had left her alone, since he had been engrossed in her new D.S. Game Boy.

As the backdoor slammed again, she excitedly called out, "Mom, do you think it would be okay if I invited Sarah to church tonight?"

"That would be great," Mom said, smiling at her daughter. "Call her, and tell her to be ready at 7:00."

by Linda Arnold

< Prev		Next >